Police seek hit & run motorist who caused cyclists on Edinburgh Road Club group ride to crash through "aggressive" driving

Police Scotland are investigating an incident in which a driver made what is said to be a “deliberate” and “aggressive” manoeuvre on a group of cyclists from Edinburgh Road Club, causing a crash that left one of the riders in hospital. The driver, who was at the wheel of a multi-passenger vehicle (MPV), did not stop.

According to a post on the club’s website, the incident happened at 9.40am on the morning of Saturday 21 January on the A6093 around two miles west of Pentcaitland, which lies around 12 miles southeast of Edinburgh.

The club said that the group of riders “was clipped by a close passing MPV vehicle on a wide section of clear and open road. The hit and run driver who knocked a couple of riders' elbows before causing a multiple rider collision drove off without stopping.”

While none of the riders was seriously injured, one was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to be treated for minor injuries. The club posted a picture of the scene to Facebook.

The rider, named Lewis, said: "I'm doing fine I got cut up badly and have a lot of swelling, but could have been much worse!! I want to thank everyone for dealing with the situation well and making sure everyone was alright, hopefully I'll be back on the bike soon.”

Police Scotland are said to be checking CCTV footage to try and track down the vehicle and motorist.

Officers from the force attended last week’s workshop hosted by West Midlands Police about its Operation Close Pass initiative and have confirmed that it will be piloted in Edinburgh this spring.

> Close pass policing could be rolled out to 16 forces: is yours one?

Chief Inspector Stephen Innes, Local Area Commander for Road Policing in the East of Scotland, said: "The safety of all road users, including cyclists who we recognise as a vulnerable group, is a priority for Police Scotland and we regularly run operations and initiatives to reduce casualties and educate all drivers, riders and pedestrians.

“We will in the spring be launching a new initiative focusing on the close passing of cyclists and are working with partners to pilot the scheme in Scotland's capital city."